On Sunday 1st November, JudoScotland hosted clubs at the Glasgow International Arena for the 2026 Annual General Meeting.
Thank You to Marc Preston
The weekend marked Marc Preston’s final AGM as Chair of JudoScotland, bringing his tenure on the Board to a close after years of dedicated service to the organisation.
First appointed to the Board in 2004, Marc has given a remarkable 19 years of service to JudoScotland, with just a four-year break during that time. Since taking on the role of Chair in 2022, following a period as Interim Chair, Marc Preston has played a significant role in shaping the direction of JudoScotland.
During his tenure, he has helped guide the development and delivery of the JudoForAll 2023–2027 strategy, strengthened the organisation’s governance and supported the decision to bring the High Performance Programme back under JudoScotland’s leadership. Throughout, Marc has championed collaboration, building strong relationships with British Judo, the Home Nations and key partners while always keeping the judo community at the heart of the organisation’s work.
Marc’s final year as Chair provided a fitting culmination to his time in the role, with Scotland welcoming judo back to the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow 2026. As he hands over the reins, Marc leaves JudoScotland with strong foundations and an exciting future ahead, having also played an important role in ensuring a smooth succession. We would like to thank Marc for the enormous amount of time, energy and passion he has given to JudoScotland and Scottish judo, and we wish him all the very best for his next chapter.
Sandy Hodge Appointed as JudoScotland Chair
Sandy Hodge assumed the role of Chair of JudoScotland following his appointment by the Board.
Sandy brings a wealth of leadership, governance and sporting experience to the role, having served as JudoScotland’s Independent Director since 2023 and as Vice-Chair over the past year. During this time, he has played a key role in a number of significant developments, including the introduction of Board portfolios, while providing valuable governance expertise, strategic oversight and a strong commitment to the continued growth of the organisation.
Looking ahead to his term as Chair, Sandy said:
“I want JudoScotland to be an organisation that is ambitious, well governed, financially sustainable and connected to every part of our sport. Most importantly, I want us to work together.
The strength of JudoScotland is not the Chair or the Board. It is the collective strength of our clubs, athletes, coaches, volunteers, staff and members. So, as we begin this next chapter, I ask that we continue to challenge ourselves, support one another and be ambitious for the future of Scottish judo.”
Thank You to David Gibson and Mark Brien
Following years of dedicated service, Mark Brien and David Gibson stepped down from the JudoScotland Board at this year’s AGM, marking the end of their respective tenures as Directors.
Mark Brien has brought a wealth of practical judo experience to the JudoScotland Board, with a particular passion for membership, events and the development of the competition workforce. A familiar face at competitions across Scotland, Mark has combined his role as a Director with his hands-on contribution as a technical official, Senior Recorder and mentor to volunteers. His commitment to Scottish judo was further reflected in his selection as part of the technical officiating team for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
David Gibson has served on the JudoScotland Board since 2022, bringing his professional experience in technology and innovation alongside a real passion for the sport. His enthusiasm has helped ensure Veterans Judo has a voice within the organisation and continues to be an important part of the wider JudoScotland community. We would like to thank David for the time, expertise and commitment he has given to JudoScotland and Scottish judo throughout his tenure.
Thank you to both Mark and David for their tireless dedication to JudoScotland, helping to bring our ‘Judo For All’ strategy to life through their leadership and commitment to the sport in Scotland.
Graeme Randall and Kirsty Marsh Appointed as Directors
Appointment of two directors: Graeme Randall and Kirsty Marsh.
As a former World and Commonwealth Judo Champion, Graeme brings significant sporting, leadership and governance experience to the Board. In his current role as Sport Programme Manager at sportscotland National Centre Inverclyde, he leads strategic planning and programme delivery within a national high-performance environment. He also brings valuable governance expertise from his previous role as a sportscotland Partnership Manager, where he worked with national governing bodies on strategic planning, investment and governance.
Kirsty brings a valuable blend of legal expertise and high-performance judo experience to the Board. A Family Law Solicitor at Morton Fraser MacRoberts, she offers strong knowledge of governance, risk management and strategic decision-making.
Alongside her legal career, Kirsty has been involved in Scottish judo from grassroots to performance, progressing through the JudoScotland Performance Pathway to represent Team Scotland at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. A former member of the JudoScotland Performance Programme and an experienced coach, she brings first-hand insight into the athlete pathway, participation and club development, providing a well-rounded perspective to support the continued growth of judo in Scotland.
Governance and Constitutional Updates Approved
Member clubs voted in approval of the 2025 Minutes, 2025 Accounts, the re-appointment of Framework as auditors and revised Articles of Association.
Scottish Judo Trust Launch
JudoScotland were proud to launch the Scottish Judo Trust, a new independent charity dedicated to helping more people across Scotland access and benefit from judo.
Established by JudoScotland and governed by an independent board of charity trustees, the Trust will support projects that remove barriers to participation and create opportunities for more people to get involved in the sport. Funding grants between £100 and £1,500 will focus on initiatives that increase access to judo for those who may face challenges taking part, including young people, women and girls, people with disabilities, those experiencing financial hardship, and remote or underrepresented communities.
Read more about the trust below: